Aerosol delivery device with microfluidic delivery component

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to a microfluidic vaporizer, an aerosol delivery device that may include such vaporizer, and methods for forming an aerosol. A microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured to hold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. An aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and a microfluidic vaporizer. The microfluidic vaporizer and aerosol delivery device can be used for forming aerosols with precise and reproducible compositions.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to aerosol delivery devices such assmoking articles, and more particularly to aerosol delivery devices thatmay utilize electrically generated heat for the production of aerosol(e.g., smoking articles commonly referred to as electronic cigarettes).The smoking articles may be configured to heat an aerosol precursor,which may incorporate materials that may be made or derived from tobaccoor otherwise incorporate tobacco, the precursor being capable of formingan inhalable substance for human consumption.

BACKGROUND

Many smoking devices have been proposed through the years asimprovements upon, or alternatives to, smoking products that requirecombusting tobacco for use. Many of those devices purportedly have beendesigned to provide the sensations associated with cigarette, cigar, orpipe smoking, but without delivering considerable quantities ofincomplete combustion and pyrolysis products that result from theburning of tobacco. To this end, there have been proposed numeroussmoking products, flavor generators, and medicinal inhalers that utilizeelectrical energy to vaporize or heat a volatile material, or attempt toprovide the sensations of cigarette, cigar, or pipe smoking withoutburning tobacco to a significant degree. See, for example, the variousalternative smoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and heatgenerating sources set forth in the background art described in U.S.Pat. No. 7,726,320 to Robinson et al., U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2013/0255702to Griffith Jr. et al., and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/647,000to Sears et al., filed Oct. 8, 2012, which are incorporated herein byreference in their entirety. See also, for example, the various types ofsmoking articles, aerosol delivery devices, and electrically poweredheat generating sources referenced by brand name and commercial sourcein U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/170,838 to Bless et al., filedFeb. 3, 2014, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

It would be desirable to provide a reservoir for an aerosol precursorcomposition for use in an aerosol delivery device, the reservoir beingprovided so as to improve formation of the aerosol delivery device. Itwould also be desirable to provide aerosol delivery devices that areprepared utilizing such reservoirs.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to microfluidic devices that may be usedin formation of vapor. Such microfluidic devices are particularly usefulas vaporizers in aerosol delivery device. A microfluidic vaporizer asdescribed herein can be beneficial in providing for precise control overaerosol composition, providing for reduced quantities of liquid that maybe needed to form the desired number of aerosol puffs on the aerosoldelivery device, and reducing the power consumption required to providethe aerosol. The present disclosure further relates to aerosol deliverydevices that specifically may incorporate a microfluidic vaporizer asdescribed herein as well as methods of vapor and aerosol formation,methods of making a microfluidic vaporizer, and methods of makingaerosol delivery devices.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a microfluidicvaporizer comprising a substrate that defines: a reservoir configured tohold a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillarychannel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to theheater. The microfluidic vaporizer may be further configured accordingto the following statements, any two or more of which may be combined.

The microfluidic vaporizer can further comprise a cover overlying thesubstrate. At least a portion of the cover can be vapor permeable andliquid impermeable.

The substrate of the microfluidic vaporizer can be adapted for passivetransfer of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater through thecapillary channel.

The microfluidic vaporizer can further comprise an active transportelement selected from the group consisting of valves, pumps, heaters,electrical field formers, stimuli-responsive materials, and combinationsthereof.

The liquid in the microfluidic vaporizer can be an aerosol precursorcomposition or a component thereof. The liquid can comprise one or moreflavors. The one or more flavors can include nicotine, particularlytobacco derived nicotine. The liquid can comprise an aerosol former. Theaerosol former can be selected from the group consisting of water,glycerol, propylene glycol, and combinations thereof.

The substrate of the microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a plurality ofheaters.

The substrate of the microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a plurality ofreservoirs.

The microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a first reservoir with anaerosol former and a second reservoir with one or more flavors. Thefirst reservoir and the second reservoir can be in fluid communicationwith the heater via the capillary channel. The first reservoir can be influid communication with a first heater via a first capillary channel,and the second reservoir can be in fluid communication with a secondheater via a second capillary channel. Alternatively, the first andsecond reservoirs may be in fluid communication with the same heater.Any number of reservoirs, capillary channels, and heaters can be used inany combination, and the relative numbers of each element present in agiven embodiment can vary.

The substrate of the microfluidic vaporizer can further comprise one ormore electrical connection pins.

The reservoir(s) and/or the capillary channel(s) defined by thesubstrate of the microfluidic vaporizer can be etched in the substrate.The reservoir(s) and/or the capillary channel(s) may be formed in thesubstrate by any further suitable method as further described herein.

The heater of the microfluidic vaporizer can underlie at least a portionof the capillary channel.

The microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a plurality of capillarychannels. The plurality of capillary channels can extend radially fromthe substrate. The microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a plurality ofheaters positioned at terminal ends of the capillary channels. Theheaters can be substantially disc shaped or may have a further shape.Capillary channels can be formed in the heaters positioned at theterminal ends of the capillary channels.

The substrate of the microfluidic vaporizer can be substantially in theform of a chip. Such form factor may comprise the materials including,but not limited to, Si and SiO₂.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides an aerosol deliverydevice. The aerosol delivery device can comprise a shell and amicrofluidic vaporizer according to any embodiment or combinations ofembodiments described herein. The aerosol delivery device may be furtherconfigured according to the following statements, any two or more ofwhich may be combined.

The aerosol delivery device can comprise a first shell comprising themicrofluidic vaporizer and a second shell comprising a power source.

The aerosol delivery device can further comprise a mouthpiece.

The aerosol delivery device can further comprise a microcontroller.

The aerosol delivery device can comprise an input adapted for providinga control instruction to the microcontroller. The input can be atouchscreen. The input can be an APP or other computer program that isinstalled on a computer or handheld computing device, such as asmartphone or tablet. The input can comprise one or more pushbuttons.

In some embodiments, an aerosol delivery device can comprise: a shell;and a microfluidic vaporizer comprising: a substrate; one or a pluralityof liquid flavor reservoirs formed in the substrate; one or a pluralityof liquid flavors positioned in the liquid flavor reservoirs; one or aplurality of liquid aerosol former reservoirs formed in the substrate; aliquid aerosol former in the liquid aerosol former reservoir(s); one ora plurality of heaters; a plurality of capillary channels configured formovement of the liquid flavor(s) and the liquid aerosol former to theheater(s); and one or more electrical connections. The aerosol deliverydevice may be further configured according to the following statements,any two or more of which may be combined.

The aerosol delivery device can be configured such that the liquidflavors can include nicotine. The nicotine can be positioned in a firstliquid flavor reservoir and at least one further liquid flavor can bepositioned in a second liquid flavor reservoir.

The aerosol delivery device can comprise a plurality of heaters. Theaerosol delivery device can be formed such that a first capillarychannel can be configured for movement of the liquid aerosol former to afirst heater, and a second capillary channel can be configured formovement of at least one of the liquid flavors to a second heater. Infurther embodiments, multiple capillaries can be configured for movementof different components of an aerosol precursor composition (ore-liquid) to the same heater.

The aerosol delivery device can be configured such that separate liquidflavors can be positioned in separate liquid flavor reservoirs.

The aerosol delivery device can further comprise a microcontroller. Theaerosol delivery device can further comprise an input adapted forproviding a control instruction to the microcontroller.

The aerosol delivery device can be configured such that the microfluidicvaporizer can further comprise a cover overlying the substrate. Theaerosol delivery device can be configured such that at least a portionof the cover can be vapor permeable and liquid impermeable.

The aerosol delivery device can further comprise an active transportelement selected from the group consisting of valves, pumps, heaters,electrical field formers, stimuli-responsive materials, and combinationsthereof. The active transport element can be defined by the substrate ormay be otherwise included in the shell and in active communication withthe substrate so as to activate liquid transport in the substrate.

The aerosol delivery device can further comprise a container that is influid communication with the microfluidic vaporizer and that can includeone or more aerosol precursor components that are retained by or withinthe container. The container may be positioned substantially orthogonalto the microfluidic reservoir.

In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides methods of formingan aerosol. As an exemplary embodiment, a method of forming an aerosolcan comprise providing an aerosol delivery device according to anyembodiment or combinations of embodiments described herein; delivering acontrol signal to a microfluidic vaporizer causing a defined aliquot ofa liquid aerosol former and optionally a defined aliquot of at least oneliquid flavor to move through one or more capillary channels to one ormore heaters; and delivering a control signal to the microfluidicvaporizer causing the heater(s) to heat and vaporize the liquid aerosolformer and any optional liquid flavors delivered to the heater(s).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Having thus described the disclosure in the foregoing general terms,reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are notnecessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partially cut-away view of an aerosol delivery devicecomprising a cartridge and a control body that includes a microfluidicvaporizer according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially cut-away view of an aerosol delivery devicecomprising a shell with a mouthpiece and a microfluidic vaporizeraccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded view of a microfluidic vaporizeraccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a partially exploded view of a further microfluidic vaporizeraccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a top view of a microfluidic vaporizer comprising a pluralityof reservoirs according to an example embodiment of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is a top view of a microfluidic vaporizer comprising a pluralityof reservoirs radially positioned around a single heater according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a top view of a microfluidic vaporizer comprising a pluralityof reservoirs and a plurality of dedicated heaters according to anexample embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a microfluidic reservoir comprising areservoir with a plurality of capillary channels extending radiallytherefrom and having a plurality of heaters positioned at terminal endsthereof according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a top view of a heater in a substantially disc shaped formthat has a capillary channel overlying a heating element formed on aheater floor and having a heater cover (shown removed from the heaterfor clarity of view) that includes microperforations, the heater beingaccording to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to exemplary embodiments thereof. These exemplary embodimentsare described so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the disclosure to those skilled in theart. Indeed, the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms andshould not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein;rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure willsatisfy applicable legal requirements. As used in the specification, andin the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, “the”, includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

As described hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure relateto aerosol delivery systems. Aerosol delivery systems according to thepresent disclosure use electrical energy to heat a material (preferablywithout combusting the material to any significant degree and/or withoutsignificant chemical alteration of the material) to form an inhalablesubstance; and components of such systems have the form of articles thatmost preferably are sufficiently compact to be considered hand-helddevices. That is, use of components of preferred aerosol deliverysystems does not result in the production of smoke—i.e., fromby-products of combustion or pyrolysis of tobacco, but rather, use ofthose preferred systems results in the production of vapors resultingfrom volatilization or vaporization of certain components incorporatedtherein. In preferred embodiments, components of aerosol deliverysystems may be characterized as electronic cigarettes, and thoseelectronic cigarettes most preferably incorporate tobacco and/orcomponents derived from tobacco, and hence deliver tobacco derivedcomponents in aerosol form.

Aerosol generating pieces of certain preferred aerosol delivery systemsmay provide many of the sensations (e.g., inhalation and exhalationrituals, types of tastes or flavors, organoleptic effects, physicalfeel, use rituals, visual cues such as those provided by visibleaerosol, and the like) of smoking a cigarette, cigar, or pipe that isemployed by lighting and burning tobacco (and hence inhaling tobaccosmoke), without any substantial degree of combustion of any componentthereof. For example, the user of an aerosol generating piece of thepresent disclosure can hold and use that piece much like a smokeremploys a traditional type of smoking article, draw on one end of thatpiece for inhalation of aerosol produced by that piece, take or drawpuffs at selected intervals of time, and the like.

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure also can becharacterized as being vapor-producing articles or medicament deliveryarticles. Thus, such articles or devices can be adapted so as to provideone or more substances (e.g., flavors and/or pharmaceutical activeingredients) in an inhalable form or state. For example, inhalablesubstances can be substantially in the form of a vapor (i.e., asubstance that is in the gas phase at a temperature lower than itscritical point). Alternatively, inhalable substances can be in the formof an aerosol (i.e., a suspension of fine solid particles or liquiddroplets in a gas). For purposes of simplicity, the term “aerosol” asused herein is meant to include vapors, gases, and aerosols of a form ortype suitable for human inhalation, whether or not visible, and whetheror not of a form that might be considered to be smoke-like.

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure generally include anumber of components provided within an outer body or shell, which maybe referred to as a housing. The overall design of the outer body orshell can vary, and the format or configuration of the outer body thatcan define the overall size and shape of the aerosol delivery device canvary. Typically, an elongated body resembling the shape of a cigaretteor cigar can be a formed from a single, unitary housing, or theelongated housing can be formed of two or more separable bodies. Forexample, an aerosol delivery device can comprise an elongated shell orbody that can be substantially tubular in shape and, as such, resemblethe shape of a conventional cigarette or cigar. In one embodiment, allof the components of the aerosol delivery device are contained withinone housing. Alternatively, an aerosol delivery device can comprise twoor more housings that are joined and are separable. For example, anaerosol delivery device can possess at one end a control body comprisinga housing containing one or more reusable components (e.g., arechargeable battery and various electronics for controlling theoperation of that article), and at the other end and removably attachedthereto an outer body or shell containing a disposable portion (e.g., adisposable cartridge include one or more aerosol precursor components,such as flavors and aerosol formers).

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure can be formed of anouter housing or shell that is not substantially tubular in shape butmay be formed to substantially greater dimensions. The housing or shellcan be configured to include a mouthpiece and/or may be configured toreceive a separate shell (e.g., a cartridge) that can include consumableelements, such as a liquid aerosol former, and can include a vaporizer.

Aerosol delivery devices of the present disclosure most preferablycomprise some combination of a power source (i.e., an electrical powersource), at least one control component (e.g., means for actuating,controlling, regulating and ceasing power for heat generation, such asby controlling electrical current flow the power source to othercomponents of the article—e.g., a microcontroller or microprocessor), aheater or heat generation member (e.g., an electrical resistance heatingelement or other component, which alone or in combination with one ormore further elements may be commonly referred to as an “atomizer”), anaerosol precursor composition (e.g., commonly a liquid capable ofyielding an aerosol upon application of sufficient heat, such asingredients commonly referred to as “smoke juice,” “e-liquid” and“e-juice”), and a mouthpiece or mouth region for allowing draw upon theaerosol delivery device for aerosol inhalation (e.g., a defined airflowpath through the article such that aerosol generated can be withdrawntherefrom upon draw).

More specific formats, configurations and arrangements of componentswithin the aerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure will beevident in light of the further disclosure provided hereinafter.Additionally, the selection and arrangement of various aerosol deliverysystem components can be appreciated upon consideration of thecommercially available electronic aerosol delivery devices, such asthose representative products referenced in background art section ofthe present disclosure.

One example embodiment of an aerosol delivery device 100 according tothe present disclosure is provided in FIG. 1. As seen in the cut-awayview illustrated therein, the aerosol delivery device 100 can comprise acontrol body 102 and a cartridge 104 that can be permanently ordetachably aligned in a functioning relationship. Engagement of thecontrol body 102 and the cartridge 104 can be press fit (asillustrated), threaded, interference fit, magnetic, or the like. Inparticular, connection components, such as further described herein maybe used. For example, the control body may include a coupler that isadapted to engage a connector on the cartridge.

In specific embodiments, one or both of the control body 102 and thecartridge 104 may be referred to as being disposable or as beingreusable. For example, the control body may have a replaceable batteryor a rechargeable battery and thus may be combined with any type ofrecharging technology, including connection to a typical electricaloutlet, connection to a car charger (i.e., cigarette lighterreceptacle), and connection to a computer, such as through a universalserial bus (USB) cable. For example, an adaptor including a USBconnector at one end and a control body connector at an opposing end isdisclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/840,264 to Novak etal., filed Mar. 15, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference inits entirety. Further, in some embodiments the cartridge may comprise asingle-use cartridge, as disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/603,612 to Chang et al., filed Sep. 5, 2012, which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a control body 102 can be formed of a controlbody shell 101 that can include a control component 106 (e.g., amicrocontroller), a flow sensor 108, a battery 110, and an LED 112, andsuch components can be variably aligned. Further indicators (e.g., ahaptic feedback component, an audio feedback component, or the like) canbe included in addition to or as an alternative to the LED. Additionalrepresentative types of components that yield visual cues or indicators,such as light emitting diode (LED) components, and the configurationsand uses thereof, are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,192 to Sprinkelet al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,499,766 to Newton and U.S. Pat. No. 8,539,959 toScatterday; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/173,266, filed Feb.5, 2014, to Sears et al.; which are incorporated herein by reference.

A cartridge 104 particularly can include a microfluidic vaporizer 130.Such vaporizer can take on a variety of configurations as otherwisedescribed herein.

An opening 128 may be present in the cartridge shell 103 (e.g., at themouthend) to allow for egress of formed aerosol from the cartridge 104.Such components are representative of the components that may be presentin a cartridge and are not intended to limit the scope of cartridgecomponents that are encompassed by the present disclosure.

The cartridge 104 also may include one or more electronic components150, which may include an integrated circuit, a memory component, asensor, or the like. The electronic component 150 may be adapted tocommunicate with the control component 106 and/or with an externaldevice by wired or wireless means. The electronic component 150 may bepositioned anywhere within the cartridge 104 or its base 140.

Although the control component 106 and the flow sensor 108 areillustrated separately, it is understood that the control component andthe flow sensor may be combined as an electronic circuit board with theair flow sensor attached directly thereto. Further, the electroniccircuit board may be positioned horizontally relative the illustrationof FIG. 1 in that the electronic circuit board can be lengthwiseparallel to the central axis of the control body. In some embodiments,the air flow sensor may comprise its own circuit board or other baseelement to which it can be attached.

The control body 102 and the cartridge 104 may include componentsadapted to facilitate a fluid engagement therebetween. As illustrated inFIG. 1, the control body 102 can include a coupler 124 having a cavity125 therein. The cartridge 104 can include a base 140 adapted to engagethe coupler 124 and can include a projection 141 adapted to fit withinthe cavity 125. Such engagement can facilitate a stable connectionbetween the control body 102 and the cartridge 104 as well as establishan electrical connection between the battery 110 and control component106 in the control body and the microfluidic vaporizer 130 in thecartridge. Further, the control body shell 101 can include an air intake118, which may be a notch in the shell where it connects to the coupler124 that allows for passage of ambient air around the coupler and intothe shell where it then passes through the cavity 125 of the coupler andinto the cartridge through the projection 141.

A coupler and a base useful according to the present disclosure aredescribed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/840,264 to Novak etal., filed Mar. 15, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated hereinby reference in its entirety. For example, a coupler as seen in FIG. 1may define an outer periphery 126 configured to mate with an innerperiphery 142 of the base 140. In one embodiment the inner periphery ofthe base may define a radius that is substantially equal to, or slightlygreater than, a radius of the outer periphery of the coupler. Further,the coupler 124 may define one or more protrusions 129 at the outerperiphery 126 configured to engage one or more recesses 178 defined atthe inner periphery of the base. However, various other embodiments ofstructures, shapes, and components may be employed to couple the base tothe coupler. In some embodiments the connection between the base 140 ofthe cartridge 104 and the coupler 124 of the control body 102 may besubstantially permanent, whereas in other embodiments the connectiontherebetween may be releasable such that, for example, the control bodymay be reused with one or more additional cartridges that may bedisposable and/or refillable.

The aerosol delivery device 100 may be substantially rod-like orsubstantially tubular shaped or substantially cylindrically shaped insome embodiments. In other embodiments, further shapes and dimensionsare encompassed—e.g., a rectangular or triangular cross-section, or thelike.

In use, when a user draws on the article 100, airflow is detected by thesensor 108, the microfluidic vaporizer 130 is activated, and an aerosolprecursor composition present within the microfluidic vaporizer isvaporized. Drawing upon the mouthend of the article 100 causes ambientair to enter the air intake 118 and pass through the cavity 125 in thecoupler 124 and the central opening in the projection 141 of the base140. In the cartridge 104, the drawn air combines with the formed vaporto form an aerosol. The aerosol is whisked away from the microfluidicvaporizer and out the mouth opening 128 in the mouthend of the article100.

A further exemplary embodiment of an aerosol delivery device 200according to the present disclosure is illustrated in the partialcross-section shown in FIG. 2. The aerosol delivery device 200 includesa shell 201 that is generally rectangular in shape but may take on anyfurther shape that may be desired and is suitably sized to accommodatethe further elements of the device. A battery 210, microcontroller 206,and sensor 208 are also present in the shell 201. The aerosol deliverydevice 200 in such embodiments can include a microfluidic vaporizer 230,which can be positioned within a vapor chamber 235. In particular, themicrofluidic vaporizer 230 can include one or more electrical connectionpins (not seen in FIG. 2) that allow for electrical attachment of themicrofluidic vaporizer via a connection port 237. As such, themicrofluidic vaporizer 230 can be detachable and replaceable. Theaerosol delivery device 200 can include a mouthpiece 220 for passage offormed aerosol to a user of the device. The mouthpiece 220 may befluidly connected to the vapor chamber (or directly to the microfluidicvaporizer) via an aerosol passage 222, and the mouthpiece can beretractable into the aerosol passage or into a further cavity orindentation in the aerosol delivery device 200.

As described further herein, a microfluidic vaporizer can comprise asubstrate that defines at least one reservoir therein for containing oneor more aerosol precursor components (or complete aerosol precursorcompositions). In some embodiments, a reservoir may be provided in fluidconnection to the microfluidic vaporizer and may be supplemental to anyreservoir defined by the microfluidic vaporizer substrate. In otherembodiments, a microfluidic vaporizer substrate may exclude a reservoir,and a separate reservoir may be provided in fluid connection with themicrofluidic vaporizer. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 2, acontainer 266 is in fluid connection with the microfluidic vaporizer 230via a liquid transport element 268. The container 266 may be in any formsuitable for retaining a liquid component therein or thereby. Forexample, the container may be a bottle or other walled element havingwalls that are substantially impermeable to, and non-reactive with, anyaerosol precursor components retained therein. As a further example, thecontainer 266 may be a fibrous material in which liquid aerosolprecursor components are absorbed, adsorbed, or otherwise stored thereinor thereby. The liquid transport element 268 may be in any form suitablefor transporting the liquid from the container 266 to the microfluidicvaporizer 230. For example, the liquid transport element 268 may be awick that is fibrous, particulate, or otherwise suited for wicking ofthe liquid along the length thereof. In further embodiments, the liquidtransport element 268 may be a capillary channel and thus may besubstantially in the form of a flow tube that is appropriately sized forfacilitating capillary action for movement of the liquid therethrough.In still further embodiments, the liquid transport element 268 may besized so that capillary action is reduced or substantially absent, andliquid transport may be facilitated by one or more pumps or the like.Further, one or more valves may be present in the liquid transportelement 268. The container 266 may be in any spatial arrangement withthe microfluidic vaporizer 230. In certain embodiments, the container266 can be substantially orthogonal to the microfluidic vaporizer 230.Further, a plurality of containers may be used. The liquid transportelement 268 may transport the liquid directly to a heater or heatingzone on the microfluidic vaporizer 230 and/or to a reservoir that isdefined by the substrate of the microfluidic vaporizer (depending uponwhether the container 266 is used instead of, or supplemental to, areservoir that is defined by the microfluidic vaporizer substrate).

An input element may be included with the aerosol delivery device. Tothis end, a touchscreen 209 represented by dashed lines as optionallybeing present and accessible from an outer surface of the aerosoldelivery device 200 is illustrated in FIG. 2. The touchscreen (or otherinput) may be included to allow a user to control functions of thedevice and/or for output of information to a user. Although atouchscreen 209 is illustrated in FIG. 2, the aerosol delivery device isnot limited to a single embodiment. Rather, any component or combinationof components may be utilized as an input for controlling the functionof the device. For example, one or more pushbuttons may be used. As afurther example, components adapted for gesture recognition based onspecified movements of the aerosol delivery device may be used as aninput. See U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/565,137, filed Dec. 9,2014, to Henry et al., which is incorporated herein by reference.

In some embodiments, an input may comprise a computer or computingdevice, such as a smartphone or tablet. In particular, the aerosoldelivery device may be wired to the computer or other device, such asvia use of a USB cord or similar protocol. The aerosol delivery devicealso may communicate with a computer or other device acting as an inputvia wireless communication. See, for example, the systems and methodsfor controlling a device via a read request as described in U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 14/327,776, filed Jul. 10, 2014, to Ampolini etal., the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Insuch embodiments, an APP or other computer program may be used inconnection with a computer or other computing device to input controlinstructions to the aerosol delivery device, such control instructionsincluding, for example, the ability to form an aerosol of specificcomposition by choosing the nicotine content and/or content of furtherflavors to be included.

The various components of an aerosol delivery device according to thepresent disclosure can be chosen from components described in the artand commercially available. Examples of batteries that can be usedaccording to the disclosure are described in U.S. Pat. App. Pub. No.2010/0028766 to Peckerar et al., the disclosure of which is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The aerosol delivery device can incorporate a sensor or detector forcontrol of supply of electric power to the heat generation element whenaerosol generation is desired (e.g., upon draw during use). As such, forexample, there is provided a manner or method for turning off the powersupply to the heat generation element when the aerosol delivery deviceis not being drawn upon during use, and for turning on the power supplyto actuate or trigger the generation of heat by the heat generationelement during draw. Additional representative types of sensing ordetection mechanisms, structure and configuration thereof, componentsthereof, and general methods of operation thereof, are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,261,424 to Sprinkel, Jr.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 toMcCafferty et al.; and PCT WO 2010/003480 by Flick; which areincorporated herein by reference.

The aerosol delivery device most preferably incorporates a controlmechanism for controlling the amount of electric power to the heatgeneration element during draw. Representative types of electroniccomponents, structure and configuration thereof, features thereof, andgeneral methods of operation thereof, are described in U.S. Pat. No.4,735,217 to Gerth et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,947,874 to Brooks et al.;U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,148 to McCafferty et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 6,040,560 toFleischhauer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 7,040,314 to Nguyen et al. and U.S.Pat. No. 8,205,622 to Pan; U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2009/0230117 to Fernandoet al. and 2014/0060554 to Collett et al.; and U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/837,542, filed Mar. 15, 2013, to Ampolini et al. and Ser.No. 14/209,191, filed Mar. 13, 2014, to Henry et al.; which areincorporated herein by reference.

In various embodiments, the present disclosure is particularlybeneficial in that the use of a microfluidic vaporizer in an aerosoldelivery device can make it possible to precisely transport (anddistribute) a desirable quantity of a liquid aerosol precursor to aheating zone. Many conventional aerosol delivery devices (e.g.,electronic cigarettes) utilize combinations of a fibrous wick and aresistive heating coil to form a vapor by spontaneously wicking a liquidfrom a reservoir (typically a fibrous mat) via the fibrous wick to theresistive heating coil. As the liquid is vaporized by the resistiveheating coil, more liquid spontaneously wicks from the reservoir to theheater. Such devices suffer from imprecise control of vaporformation—i.e., the inability to transport a single puff's worth ofaerosol precursor to the heating zone at the desired time. Such deviceslikewise suffer from the inability to dispense only the precise amountof energy needed to vaporize the aerosol precursor liquid in a rapidfashion to provide aerosol on demand and avoid unnecessary energy drainon the battery.

A microfluidic vaporizer according to embodiments of the presentdisclosure can provide precision in vapor formation that is lacking inknown devices. As used herein, the term microfluidic is intended torelate to the transfer of small volumes of liquid, such as milliliter orsmaller, microliter or smaller, nanoliter or smaller, or picoliter orsmaller. The ability to move liquid from a reservoir to a heater insmall, precise volumes can provide for improving vapor formation as wellas reducing unnecessary power drain.

In some embodiments, a microfluidic vaporizer can comprise a substratethat defines the specific components of the vaporizer. In particular,the substrate can define a reservoir that is configured to hold a liquid(e.g., an aerosol precursor composition or components thereof), a heateradapted to vaporize the liquid, and a capillary channel configured formovement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater. The substratecan be formed of any material that is sufficiently inert in relation tothe liquid and the level of heating necessary for vaporization.Specifically, the substrate is preferably chemically non-reactive withthe components of the aerosol precursor composition (including aerosolformers, flavors, and the like). The substrate also is preferablythermally and mechanically stable under the conditions of use. Forexample, the substrate may be formed of a material that is temperaturestable at a temperature of about 100° C. or greater, about 150° C. orgreater, about 200° C. or greater, about 300° C. or greater, about 400°C. or greater, or about 500° C. or greater. In other embodiments, thesupporting layer can be temperature stable in a temperature range ofabout 100° C. to about 750° C., about 125° C. to about to about 650° C.,or about 150° C. to about 500° C. In some embodiments, the supportinglayer can be formed of a ceramic material, particularly a silicon-basedmaterial. One specific example of a supporting layer material is asilicon nitride material. Other materials, however, such as glass orquartz can be used. Certain thermoplastic materials, such as cyclicolefin copolymers (COC), also can be used.

The substrate can take on a variety of shapes. In some embodiments, thesubstrate can be substantially chip shaped, but such shape is notrequired. The term chip shaped is intended to reference a shape that issubstantially flat and has a length and a width that are both greaterthan the thickness. A chip shaped substrate may be substantially squareor rectangular; however, other shapes (e.g., round, oval, triangle, orother multi-sided shapes) may also be considered chip shaped whensubstantially flat. In light of such exemplary shape, a microfluidicvaporizer can, in some embodiments, be characterized as a“lab-on-a-chip.” Thus, a plurality of elements required for vaporizationof a liquid can be included with the substrate. In some embodiments, thesubstrate can have a relatively small thickness—e.g., about 1 mm toabout 20 mm, about 1.5 mm to about 15 mm, or about 2 mm to about 10 mm.In some embodiments, the substrate can have a surface area of about 0.5cm² to about 50 cm², about 1 cm² to about 45 cm², about 2 cm² to about40 cm², or about 3 cm² to about 30 cm².

One embodiment of a microfluidic vaporizer 330 is illustrated in FIG. 3.In the illustrated embodiment, the microfluidic vaporizer 330 comprisesa substrate 345 that is substantially chip shaped. A heater 355 isdefined by the substrate 345 and may be positioned on the substrate in avariety of manners. For example, the heater 355 may be on the topsurface 345 a of the substrate 345 or on the bottom surface 345 b of thesubstrate. When on the bottom surface 345 b of the substrate 345, thesubstrate preferably is sufficiently heat conductive to achievevaporization of the liquid. In some embodiments, the heater 355 may beembedded in the substrate 345, such as being positioned within a well orother indentation in the substrate. In the illustrated embodiment, theheater 355 is positioned within a well formed in the substrate 345 andis covered by a heat conductive layer 347 (which is illustrated as beingpartially transparent in FIG. 3 to allow viewing of the heater 355positioned under the heat conductive layer).

In some embodiments, the heater 355 may be characterized as amicroheater. In particular, the microheater can be characterized as aMicro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) based heater. MEMS-based heatershave been used previously in subminiature micro-sensors such as windsensors, humidity sensors, and gas sensors. Such MEMS-based microheaterscan emit heat by applying an electrical current to a resistor and canprovide advantages such as low power input requirement and very shortresponse time. A MEMS-based microheater is highly advantageous in amicrofluidic vaporizer, as presently described, since it can provide forlow voltage and/or low power device function while also providing rapidheating to a sufficiently high heat range to vaporize the liquid aerosolprecursor composition.

A microheater useful herein may be described as a thin film heater or ahot film heater. This can be particularly descriptive of the physicalnature of the microheater, which can comprise an electrically conductivematerial that specifically can be provided in the form of a film—i.e.,an electrically conductive layer. In certain embodiments, theelectrically conductive material can be patterned. In other words, theelectrically conductive material can be present in the microheater in aspecific pattern and, as such, refers to the physical nature of thefinished microheater and is not limited to a method of making themicroheater. The thickness of the electrically conductive layer can varyand can be, for example, about 1,000 μm or less, about 500 μm or less,about 200 μm or less, about 100 μm or less, about 50 μm or less, about10 μm or less, or about 5 μm or less. In other embodiments, theelectrically conductive layer can have a thickness of about 0.1 μm toabout 500 μm, about 0.5 μm to about 200 μm, about 1 μm to about 100 μm,or about 2 μm to about 50 μm.

The electrically conductive material used in the microheater cancomprise essentially any material that is both electrically conductiveand suitable for thin film formation in the size ranges discussed above.For example, the electrically conductive material can be selected fromthe group consisting of elemental metals, metal alloys, silicon(including single crystal silicon and poly-silicon), ceramics, carbon,carbides, nitrides, and combinations thereof. In more specificembodiments, the electrically conductive material can be formed ofplatinum, gold, silver, copper, aluminum, tungsten, zinc, palladium,nickel, titanium, nichrome, silicon carbide, poly-silicon, singlecrystal silicon, titanium nitride, and the like. In particularembodiments, elemental metals, such as platinum, can be particularlybeneficial due to exhibiting good oxidation resistance and long-termstability. A thin film microheater according to the present disclosurecan exhibit a high level of ruggedness and stability that can bepreferred over more fragile and less stable hot wires.

The use of a microheater in the microfluidic vaporizer can beparticularly beneficial in that, in some embodiments, the material usedin forming at least the microheater portion of the microfluidicvaporizer may be (or have properties consistent with) a semiconductor.As such, the semiconductor used in forming a microheater can be doped ina manner that modulates or tunes its electrical properties in apreferential manner.

In addition to the electrically conductive layer, a microheateraccording to the present disclosure can comprise a supporting layer. Inparticular, the electrically conductive material may be patterned onsuch supporting layer. The supporting layer preferably is formed of amaterial that is temperature stable under the heater operatingtemperatures. For example, the supporting layer can be temperaturestable at a temperature of about 150° C. or greater, about 200° C. orgreater, about 300° C. or greater, about 400° C. or greater, or about500° C. or greater. In other embodiments, the supporting layer can betemperature stable in a temperature range of about 125° C. to about 750°C., about 150° C. to about to about 650° C., or about 175° C. to about500° C. In some embodiments, the supporting layer can be formed of aceramic material, particularly a silicon-based material. One specificexample of a supporting layer material is a silicon nitride material.Other materials, however, such as glass or quartz can be used. Certainthermoplastic materials, such as cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), alsocan be used. The supporting layer can be formed of an insulatingmaterial or can include an insulating layer. Exemplary microheaters thatmay useful according to the present disclosure are described in U.S.Pat. No. 8,881,737 to Collett et al., which is incorporated herein byreference.

The heat conductive layer 347 preferably is formed of a material suchthat the heat conductive layer is temperature stable under the operatingtemperatures for the heater and that is heat radiant and/or heatconductive. For example, the heat conductive layer 347 can betemperature stable at a temperature of about 100° C. or greater, about150° C. or greater, about 200° C. or greater, about 400° C. or greater,or about 500° C. or greater. In other embodiments, the heat conductivelayer can be temperature stable in a temperature range of about 100° C.to about 750° C., about 150° C. to about to about 650° C., or about 175°C. to about 500° C. In some embodiments, the heat conductive layer canbe in direct contact with an aerosol precursor composition or componentthereof. Accordingly, it is preferable for the heat conductive layer tobe substantially chemically non-reactive with the various compounds thatmay be included in the aerosol precursor material. By substantiallychemically non-reactive is meant that any chemical reaction between theheat conductive layer and a component of the aerosol precursor materialis sufficiently limited such that the heat conductive layer is notbreached so as to allow the aerosol precursor composition to be indirect contact with the electrically conductive layer of the heater.Alternately, the phrase can mean that any chemical reaction between theheat conductive layer and a component of the aerosol precursor materialis sufficiently limited such that chemical compounds present in the heatconductive layer are not released (or new chemical compounds formed) soas to combine with the formed aerosol for inhalation by a consumer. Insome embodiments, the heat conductive layer can be formed of a ceramicmaterial, particularly a silicon-based material. One specific example ofa heat conductive layer material is a silicon dioxide material. Othermaterials, however, such as glass or quartz can be used.

The substrate 345 of the microfluidic vaporizer 330 illustrated in FIG.3 further can include a reservoir 365 that is configured to hold anaerosol precursor composition 367 (or an element thereof). The reservoirparticularly can be a well or other indentation formed in the substrate345. In other embodiments, the microfluidic vaporizer 330 may have amulti-layer construction (see FIG. 4).

Although only a single reservoir is illustrated in FIG. 3, it isunderstood that a plurality of reservoirs may be included. Moreover,liquids for aerosolization may be separately stored in the plurality ofreservoirs.

The aerosol precursor, or vapor precursor composition, can vary. Mostpreferably, the aerosol precursor is composed of a combination ormixture of various ingredients or components. The selection of theparticular aerosol precursor components, and the relative amounts ofthose components used, may be altered in order to control the overallchemical composition of the mainstream aerosol produced by the aerosolgenerating piece. Of particular interest are aerosol precursors that canbe characterized as being generally liquid in nature. For example,representative generally liquid aerosol precursors may have the form ofliquid solutions, mixtures of miscible components, or liquidsincorporating suspended or dispersed components. Typical aerosolprecursors are capable of being vaporized upon exposure to heat underthose conditions that are experienced during use of the aerosolgenerating pieces that are characteristic of the current disclosure; andhence are capable of yielding vapors and aerosols that are capable ofbeing inhaled.

For aerosol delivery systems that are characterized as electroniccigarettes, the aerosol precursor most preferably incorporates tobaccoor components derived from tobacco. In one regard, the tobacco may beprovided as parts or pieces of tobacco, such as finely ground, milled orpowdered tobacco lamina. In another regard, the tobacco may be providedin the form of an extract, such as a spray dried extract thatincorporates many of the water soluble components of tobacco.Alternatively, tobacco extracts may have the form of relatively highnicotine content extracts, which extracts also incorporate minor amountsof other extracted components derived from tobacco. In another regard,components derived from tobacco may be provided in a relatively pureform, such as certain flavoring agents that are derived from tobacco. Inone regard, a component that is derived from tobacco, and that may beemployed in a highly purified or essentially pure form, is nicotine(e.g., pharmaceutical grade nicotine).

The aerosol precursor may incorporate a so-called “aerosol former.” Suchmaterials have the ability to yield visible aerosols when vaporized uponexposure to heat under those conditions experienced during normal use ofaerosol generating pieces that are characteristic of the currentdisclosure. Such aerosol forming materials include various polyols orpolyhydric alcohols (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, and mixturesthereof). Many embodiments of the present disclosure incorporate aerosolprecursor components that can be characterized as water, moisture oraqueous liquid. During conditions of normal use of certain aerosolgenerating pieces, the water incorporated within those pieces canvaporize to yield a component of the generated aerosol. As such, forpurposes of the current disclosure, water that is present within theaerosol precursor may be considered to be an aerosol forming material.

It is possible to employ a wide variety of optional flavoring agents ormaterials that alter the sensory character or nature of the drawnmainstream aerosol generated by the aerosol delivery system of thepresent disclosure. For example, such optional flavoring agents may beused within the aerosol precursor to alter the flavor, aroma andorganoleptic properties of the aerosol. Certain flavoring agents may beprovided from sources other than tobacco. Exemplary flavoring agents maybe natural or artificial in nature, and may be employed as concentratesor flavor packages.

Exemplary flavoring agents include vanillin, ethyl vanillin, cream, tea,coffee, fruit (e.g., apple, cherry, strawberry, peach and citrusflavors, including lime and lemon), maple, menthol, mint, peppermint,spearmint, wintergreen, nutmeg, clove, lavender, cardamom, ginger,honey, anise, sage, cinnamon, sandalwood, jasmine, cascarilla, cocoa,licorice, and flavorings and flavor packages of the type and charactertraditionally used for the flavoring of cigarette, cigar and pipetobaccos. Syrups, such as high fructose corn syrup, also can beemployed. Certain flavoring agents may be incorporated within aerosolforming materials prior to formulation of a final aerosol precursormixture (e.g., certain water soluble flavoring agents can beincorporated within water, menthol can be incorporated within propyleneglycol, and certain complex flavor packages can be incorporated withinpropylene glycol). Certain tobacco extracts, including nicotine, may becharacterized as flavors that may be combined with one or more aerosolformers.

Aerosol precursors also may include ingredients that exhibit acidic orbasic characteristics (e.g., organic acids, ammonium salts or organicamines). For example, certain organic acids (e.g., levulinic acid,succinic acid, lactic acid, and pyruvic acid) may be included in anaerosol precursor formulation incorporating nicotine, preferably inamounts up to being equimolar (based on total organic acid content) withthe nicotine. For example, the aerosol precursor may include about 0.1to about 0.5 moles of levulinic acid per one mole of nicotine, about 0.1to about 0.5 moles of succinic acid per one mole of nicotine, about 0.1to about 0.5 moles of lactic acid per one mole of nicotine, about 0.1 toabout 0.5 moles of pyruvic acid per one mole of nicotine, or variouspermutations and combinations thereof, up to a concentration wherein thetotal amount of organic acid present is equimolar to the total amount ofnicotine present in the aerosol precursor.

As one non-limiting example, a representative aerosol precursor can havethe form of a mixture of about 70% to about 90% glycerin, often about75% to about 85% glycerin; about 5% to about 20% water, often about 10%to about 15% water; about 1% to about 10% propylene glycol, often about4% to about 8% propylene glycol; about 0.1% to about 6% nicotine, oftenabout 1.5% to about 5% nicotine; and optional flavoring agent in anamount of up to about 6%, often about 0.1% to about 5% flavoring agent;on a weight basis. For example, a representative aerosol precursor mayhave the form of a formulation incorporating greater than about 76%glycerin, about 14% water, about 7% propylene glycol, about 1% to about2% nicotine, and less than about 1% optional flavoring agent, on aweight basis. For example, a representative aerosol precursor may havethe form of a formulation incorporating greater than about 75% glycerin,about 14% water, about 7% propylene glycol, about 2.5% nicotine, andless than about 1% optional flavoring agent. For example, arepresentative aerosol precursor may have the form of a formulationincorporating greater than about 75% glycerin, about 5% water, about 8%propylene glycol, about 6% nicotine, and less than about 6% optionalflavoring agent, on a weight basis.

As another non-limiting example, a representative aerosol precursor canhave the form of a mixture of about 40% to about 70% glycerin, oftenabout 50% to about 65% glycerin; about 5% to about 20% water, oftenabout 10% to about 15% water; about 20% to about 50% propylene glycol,often about 25% to about 45% propylene glycol; about 0.1% to about 6%nicotine, often about 1.5% to about 5% nicotine; about 0.5% to about 3%,often about 1.5% to about 2% menthol; and optional additional flavoringagent in an amount of up to about 6%, often about 0.1% to about 5%flavoring agent; on a weight basis. For example, a representativeaerosol precursor may have the form of a formulation incorporating about50% glycerin, about 11% water, about 28% propylene glycol, about 5%nicotine, about 2% menthol, and about 4% other flavoring agent, on aweight basis.

Representative types of aerosol precursor components and formulationsalso are set forth and characterized in U.S. Pat. No. 7,217,320 toRobinson et al. and U.S. Pat. Pub. Nos. 2013/0008457 to Zheng et al.;2013/0213417 to Chong et al. and 2014/0060554 to Collett et al., thedisclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Other aerosolprecursors that may be employed include the aerosol precursors that havebeen incorporated in the VUSE® product by R. J. Reynolds Vapor Company,the BLU™ product by Lorillard Technologies, the MISTIC MENTHOL productby Mistic Ecigs, and the VYPE product by CN Creative Ltd. Also desirableare the so-called “smoke juices” for electronic cigarettes that havebeen available from Johnson Creek Enterprises LLC.

The amount of aerosol precursor that is incorporated within the aerosoldelivery system is such that the aerosol generating piece providesacceptable sensory and desirable performance characteristics. Forexample, it is highly preferred that sufficient amounts of aerosolforming material (e.g., glycerin and/or propylene glycol), be employedin order to provide for the generation of a visible mainstream aerosolthat in many regards resembles the appearance of tobacco smoke. Theamount of aerosol precursor within the aerosol generating system may bedependent upon factors such as the number of puffs desired per aerosolgenerating piece. Typically, the amount of aerosol precursorincorporated within the aerosol delivery system, and particularly withinthe aerosol generating piece, is less than about 2 g, generally lessthan about 1.5 g, often less than about 1 g and frequently less thanabout 0.5 g.

When a plurality of reservoirs is utilized, a variety of combinations ofseparate components of the aerosol precursor composition may be storedin the reservoirs. In some embodiments, a substantially complete aerosolprecursor composition may be stored in two or more separate reservoirs.In some embodiments, aerosol formers (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol,and water) may be stored in one or more reservoirs and one or moreflavors may be stored in one or more further reservoirs. In someembodiments, aerosol formers may be stored in one or more reservoirs,nicotine as a primary flavor may be stored in one or more furtherreservoirs, and optional additional flavors may be stored in one or moreoptional additional reservoirs (although the optional flavors may becombined with the nicotine and/or the aerosol former). Othercombinations of materials stored in separate reservoirs are alsoencompassed, and such ability to separately store the materials canprovide for precise control of aerosol composition that is provided. Inparticular, aerosol composition may be adjusted as desired so thatliquid is only drawn from the specific reservoirs required to providethe desired aerosol composition in a specific puff on an aerosoldelivery system including the microfluidic vaporizer. This ability isfurther described in relation to FIG. 4 below.

Returning to FIG. 3, the substrate further comprises a plurality ofcapillary channels 375. It is understood that one or more capillarychannels 375 may be utilized to provide for delivery of the preciseamount of aerosol precursor composition 367 from the reservoir 365 tothe heater 355 necessary to provide the desired amount of aerosolformation. The orientation of the capillary channels 375 can vary. Forexample, the channels may be curved or angled rather than straight.Multiple capillary channels 375 may merge or otherwise combine in abranched effect. For example, a single capillary channel leaving thereservoir may branch into multiple capillary channels prior to or aftercontacting the heater. Other configurations of capillary channels thatmay be discerned based upon the presently described exemplaryembodiments are also encompassed by this disclosure.

In FIG. 3, the capillary channels 375 are illustrated as terminating atthe heat conductive layer 347. In some embodiments, the heat conductivelayer 347 may be adapted for spreading of the delivered aerosolprecursor composition 367 across the underlying heater 355. As such, theheat conductive layer 347 may be at least partially recessed in thesubstrate 345 (e.g., into the well or indentation in which the heater355 is positioned) so that the surface of the heat conductive layer ispositionally lower than the top surface 345 a of the substrate. In otherembodiments, the capillary channels 375 may extend at least partiallyacross the heat conductive layer 347. In further embodiments, the heatconductive layer 347 may be absent, and the top surface 345 a of thesubstrate 345 may extend across and over the heater 355. As such, thecapillary channels 375 formed in the substrate 345 may extend at leastpartially across the position of the heater 355 within or below thesubstrate. Thus, in some embodiments, the heater can underlie at least aportion of one or more capillary channels.

The microfluidic vaporizer 330 may operate based on one or both ofpassive microfluidic transfer and active microfluidic transfer. Passivemicrofluidic transfer may rely upon surface or capillary forces totransfer the liquid through or along the capillary channels. As such,various factors (e.g., liquid viscosity, liquid density, surface tensionof the liquid, contact angles in the channels, surface structure in thechannels, and channel geometry) can be adjusted to achieve the level ofpassive transfer desired. In passive microfluidic transfer, the liquidmay freely pass from the reservoir to the heater as the liquid isvaporized away from the heater.

Active microfluidic transfer may rely at least in part upon capillaryforces for liquid transfer; however, external factors are also appliedto direct transfer of only specific liquids in specific volumes fromspecific reservoirs to the heater for vaporization. Active transportelements that may be included in a microfluidic vaporizer as describedherein may be, for example, selected from the group consisting ofvalves, pumps, heaters, electrical field formers, stimuli-responsivepolymers, and combinations thereof. For example: valves may be openedand closed on command to allow liquid to flow by capillary action (orthrough addition of other active forces) only when desired; micropumpsmay be used to increase liquid flow beyond what is possible throughcapillary forces alone; heaters may be used to heat areas aroundcapillary channels to provide for thermal gradients to affect liquidflow; electrical field formers may be used to establish fields thataffect liquid transfer; stimuli-responsive materials (e.g., smartpolymers) may be used in channel formation and/or substrate formation sothat liquid transfer may be influenced by changes in the nature of thechannels, such as changing the shape, conductivity, and the like of thechannels in response to applied heat, electric fields, or the like.

In FIG. 3, valves 377 are shown in each of the capillary channels 375 toexemplify active transport elements that may be incorporated in themicrofluidic vaporizer 330. The valves 377 may opened to allow movementof the aerosol precursor composition 367 from the reservoir 365 to theheater 355 for vaporization.

Capillary channels may be formed by a variety of methods. For example,channels may be etched or imprinted in the substrate. In otherembodiments, deposition and bonding may be used to add channels to thesubstrate, or soft lithography techniques, such as polydimethylsiloxane(PDMS) lithography may be used. In still further embodiments, channelsmay be formed or added using methods such as stereolithography,photolithography, electroplating, injection molding, and embossing maybe used.

A cover 385 is included with the microfluidic vaporizer 330 to overliethe substrate 345 and thus retain the aerosol precursor composition 367within the reservoir 365 and the capillary channels 375. The cover 385includes a plurality of microperforations 387 that preferably are sizedto prevent egress of liquid but to allow passage of formed vaportherethrough. The cover 385 may be substantially in the form of a mesh.The cover 385 may be formed of any material that is heat stable andchemically non-reactive, such as any material suitable for use informing the substrate.

The microfluidic vaporizer 330 also includes a plurality of electricalconnection pins 395 and necessary electrical wiring (not shown) to allowfor control of the heater 355 and any further components (e.g., valves377) of the microfluidic vaporizer that may require such control. Anytype of electrical contacts may be utilized. Preferably, the electricalconnection pins 395 may be of a standard format to allow for ease ofconnection with a further device, such as an aerosol delivery device.Referring to FIG. 2, for example, the microfluidic vaporizer 330 of FIG.3 may include electrical contact pins 395 in a format such that themicrofluidic vaporizer may be plugged into the connection port 237. Inthis manner, the microfluidic vaporizer 330 may be substantially a plugand play device that is adapted for being inserted into an aerosoldelivery device for aerosol formation and thereafter removed andreplaced. Mating between the electrical contact pins 395 and theconnection port 237 may be push/push or push/pull. In other embodiments,the microfluidic vaporizer 330 may be positioned within an aerosoldelivery device in a manner wherein removal and replacement is notintended. For example, the microfluidic vaporizer may be hardwired to acontrol component within a housing or may be included in a shell withelectrical connectors, the shell not being configured to be opened by aconsumer (for example, within cartridge shell 103 in FIG. 1).

A multi-layer microfluidic vaporizer 430 is illustrated in FIG. 4.Therein, the substrate 445 is formed of a base layer 448 and anintermediate layer 446. Both layers may be formed of a material asotherwise described above. The heater 455 is attached to the base layer448 and corresponds to a first window 446 a formed in the intermediatelayer 446. A heat conductive layer 447 is positioned within the firstwindow 446 a in a manner that prevents passage of liquid to the heater455. A second window 446 b is also formed in the intermediate layer 446and forms a reservoir 465 in which an aerosol precursor composition (ora component thereof) may be stored. A plurality of capillary channels475 are formed in the intermediate layer 446 and provide fluidconnection between the first window 446 a and the second window 446 b.When assembled, the intermediate layer 446 contacts the base layer 448and is sealed, glued, or otherwise connected thereto such that liquidstored in the reservoir 465 formed by the second window 446 b and thebase layer 448 may not seep out between the layers. A cover 485 is thenapplied over the intermediate layer 446 to retain a liquid aerosolprecursor composition within the reservoir 465 and the capillarychannels 475. Microvalves 477 are positioned within the capillarychannels 475. The cover 485 includes a plurality of microperforationssuch that at least a portion of the cover is vapor permeable but liquidimpermeable.

Yet a further embodiment of a microfluidic vaporizer 530 is illustratedin FIG. 5. As seen in the top view thereof (with an optional cover layerabsent for ease of illustration), a substrate 545 is provided with aplurality of reservoirs, a single heater 555, a main capillary channel575 a, and a plurality of branch capillary channels 575 b connecting arespective reservoir to the main capillary channel. As an example,reservoirs 565 a and 565 b can be filled with an aerosol formercomposition (e.g., glycerin, propylene glycol, and water), reservoir 565c is filled with a combination of nicotine and aerosol former carrier,reservoirs 565 d-565 g are each filled with different flavors, andreservoir 565 h is filled with plain water. The use of a plurality offlavor reservoirs can allow for the use of concentrated solutions insmaller volumes. A plurality of microvalves 577 are positioned in eachof the branch capillary channels 575 b.

In use, a microfluidic vaporizer 530 as illustrated in FIG. 5 may allowfor precise control of different flavor combinations. In someembodiments, when included in an aerosol delivery device, a user may usean input (see, for example, the touchscreen 209 illustrated in FIG. 2)to instruct formation of aerosol with a specific composition. Forexample, a user may input instruction for formation of an aerosol with aspecific content of nicotine (from 0% by weight up to a predeterminedthreshold amount) and to include a specific additional flavor. In suchexample, the microfluidic vaporizer 530 would deliver aerosol formerfrom one or both of reservoirs 565 a and 565 b, nicotine from reservoir565 c, and the requisite flavor from reservoirs 565 d-565 g. A singlecombination may be chosen for the duration of use of the aerosoldelivery device (or the duration of use of the specific microfluidicvaporizer), or a different combination of flavors (including nicotinecontent) may be directed with each puff or any combination of puffs onan aerosol delivery device including the microfluidic vaporizer. Ifneeded, the user may instruct the microfluidic vaporizer 530 to deliverwater from reservoir 565 h to the heater so as to clear the system ofthe previous flavors and/or to clean the vaporizer channels and/orheater region.

A further exemplary embodiment of a microfluidic vaporizer 630 is shownin FIG. 6. A substantially round substrate 645 is provided with aplurality of reservoirs 665 a-665 f, a plurality of capillary channels675 a-675 f, and a heater 655. In the exemplary embodiment, reservoirs665 a and 665 b can be filled with an aerosol former composition (e.g.,glycerin, propylene glycol, and water), reservoir 665 c is filled with acombination of nicotine and aerosol former carrier, and reservoirs 665d-665 f are each filled with different flavors. Any combination ofaerosol former, nicotine, and further flavors can be provided to theheater 655 for form an aerosol of a specifically desired composition.Active control of fluid delivery through the capillary channels 675a-675 f may be achieved utilizing any method as otherwise describedherein. As such, microvalves, micropumps, or the like may be includedwith the substrate 645.

In some embodiments, a microfluidic vaporizer can include a plurality ofheaters. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, a substrate 745defines four heaters 755 a-755 d that are in fluid connection with fourrespective reservoirs 765 a-765 d via four respective capillary channels775 a-775 d. In this embodiment, reservoir 765 a includes a vaporformer, reservoir 765 b includes a nicotine composition, reservoir 765 cincludes a first further flavor component, and reservoir 765 d includesa second further flavor component. In this manner, the precisequantities of vapor former, nicotine, and further flavor component canbe sent to their respective heaters to form a custom vapor. Although notillustrated in FIG. 7, it is understood that one or more activetransport elements (e.g., a microvalve or micropump) may be included inany manner as otherwise described herein. Through use of an inputcomponent (such as the touchscreen 209 in FIG. 2), a consumer may definethe exact amount of nicotine desired in a puff on the aerosol deliverydevice and the exact flavor intensity desired in the puff. Moreover, aseach component utilizes its own heater, possibility of cross-flavoringarising from residue on the heater from a previous, differently flavoredpuff can be avoided. When a plurality of heaters is utilized, theheaters may be in parallel or in series. Independent circuitry also maybe utilized for two or more heaters when a plurality of heaters is used.

In the previously described exemplary embodiments, the reservoir(s),capillary channel(s), and heater(s) are all formed directly in thesubstrate. In further embodiments, the capillary channel(s) and theheater(s) may be defined by the substrate in that they extend outwardlyfrom the substrate, which forms the reservoir. As such, the microfluidicvaporizer may be characterized in that one or more capillary channelsextend radially from the substrate. Moreover, one or more heaters may bepositioned at terminal ends of the capillary channels.

FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of a microfluidic vaporizer 830 whereina substrate 845 is elongated so as to be substantially in the form of atube. Although a tube with a circular cross-section is illustrated, thesubstrate may take on any desired shape. The substrate 845 is preferablyhollow so as to have a chamber formed therein, the chamber being areservoir 865 for storing an aerosol precursor composition. A pluralityof heaters 855 are radially aligned around the substrate 845 and are influid connection with the reservoir 865 therein via a plurality ofcapillary channels 875. In use, aerosol precursor composition from thereservoir 865 in the substrate 845 can pass through the capillarychannels 875 to the heaters 855 positioned at terminal ends of thecapillary channels. The heaters 855 can include at least one wall thatincludes microperforations so that vapor may pass therethrough butliquid is prevented from passing therethrough.

The heaters 855 in FIG. 8 are substantially disc shaped; however, othershapes are also encompassed. The heaters may have a variety ofstructures that provide for the liquid aerosol precursor compositionpassing through the capillary channels 875 to come into a heatingcontact with a heating element and form vapor that may escape from theheater.

One exemplary embodiment of a heater 955 that is substantially in theform of a disc is shown in FIG. 9. Therein, the heater 955 has a floor981 through which the capillary channel 975 a opens. The heater floor981 may be formed of any heat stable and chemically non-reactivematerial as otherwise discussed herein. A capillary coil 975 binterconnects with the capillary channel 975 a such that liquid passesfrom the capillary channel and through the capillary coil. Underlyingthe capillary coil 975 b is a heating element 985, which is in a heatingarrangement with the capillary coil such that the liquid in thecapillary coil can be vaporized. The heating element 985 may be formedof any material as otherwise discussed herein as being suitable forproviding heating. For example, a printed heating element may beutilized. In use, liquid aerosol precursor composition from a reservoir(see FIG. 8) passes through the capillary channel 975 a and then isdistributed through the capillary coil 975 b. Upon heating of theheating element 985, the liquid in the capillary coil 975 b vaporizes. Aheater cover 988 may be positioned over the remaining elements of theheater 955 to retain the liquid in the capillary coil 975 b untilvaporization, at which time the vapor phase material may pass throughthe heater cover. Any cover construction that is vapor permeable andliquid impermeable may be utilized.

As another exemplary embodiment, the capillary coil 975 b in FIG. 9 maybe replaced with a plurality of substantially linear channel branchesthat extend radially from the capillary channel 975 a opening throughthe heater floor 981. The substantially linear channel branches may openat the periphery (or rim) 990 of the heater 955 to allow for egress offormed vapor therefrom. In such embodiment, the heater cover 988 (orsimply a top surface of the heater) may be solid rather than perforated.The periphery 990 of the heater 955, however, may be covered with amicroperforated layer or similar material that is vapor permeable andliquid impermeable.

In embodiments such as illustrated in FIG. 8, the plurality of heaters855 may be activated individually (e.g., one heater activation providingone puff of aerosol). Alternatively, a combination of heaters 855 may beactivated substantially in unison to provide a single puff of aerosol.In further embodiments, the substrate 845 may be divided into aplurality of reservoirs, which may hold the same or differentcompositions. In FIG. 8, the dashed lines 866 illustrate an optionalembodiment wherein the substrate 845 is divided into four reservoirs,each respective reservoir having a set of radially extending capillarychannels 875 and associated heaters 855.

Yet other features, controls or components that can be incorporated intoaerosol delivery systems of the present disclosure are described in U.S.Pat. No. 5,967,148 to Harris et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,934,289 to Watkinset al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,954,979 to Counts et al.; U.S. Pat. No.6,040,560 to Fleischhauer et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 8,365,742 to Hon; U.S.Pat. No. 8,402,976 to Fernando et al.; U.S. Pat. App. Pub. Nos.2010/0163063 by Fernando et al.; 2013/0192623 to Tucker et al.;2013/0298905 to Leven et al.; 2013/0180553 to Kim et al. and2014/0000638 to Sebastian et al.; and U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/840,264, filed Mar. 15, 2013, to Novak et al. and Ser. No.13/841,233, filed Mar. 15, 2013, to DePiano et al.; which areincorporated herein by reference.

The foregoing description of use of the article can be applied to thevarious embodiments described herein through minor modifications, whichcan be apparent to the person of skill in the art in light of thefurther disclosure provided herein. The above description of use,however, is not intended to limit the use of the article but is providedto comply with all necessary requirements of disclosure of the presentdisclosure.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure will come tomind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains havingthe benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions andthe associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that thedisclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosedherein and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to beincluded within the scope of the appended claims. Although specificterms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptivesense only and not for purposes of limitation.

1.-40. (canceled)
 41. A vaporizer comprising: a substrate with aplurality of capillary channels defined therein, the capillary channelsbeing arranged for transport of a liquid composition for vaporization;and a mesh arranged to overlie the substrate, the mesh including aplurality of perforations so as to be permeable to vapor that is formedwhen the liquid that is transported by the capillary channels of thesubstrate is vaporized.
 42. The vaporizer of claim 41, wherein thesubstrate comprises a plurality of layers.
 43. The vaporizer of claim41, wherein the mesh is formed of a material that is heat stable. 44.The vaporizer of claim 41, wherein the mesh is formed of a material thatis chemically non-reactive.
 45. The vaporizer of claim 41, wherein theplurality of perforations of the mesh are sized to substantially preventpassage of liquid therethrough.
 46. The vaporizer of claim 41, furthercomprising a shell in which the substrate and the mesh are arranged. 47.The vaporizer of claim 46, wherein the shell includes electricalconnectors.
 48. The vaporizer of claim 46, wherein the shell includes amouth opening arranged for passage of aerosol therethrough.
 49. Thevaporizer of claim 41, further comprising a heater.
 50. The vaporizer ofclaim 49, wherein the heater is a thin film.
 51. The vaporizer of claim49, wherein the heater has a thickness of about 500 μm or less.
 52. Thevaporizer of claim 49, wherein the heater is positioned on a surface ofthe substrate.
 53. The vaporizer of claim 41, wherein the heater furthercomprises an electrically conductive material.
 54. The vaporizer ofclaim 41, wherein the substrate defines a reservoir.
 55. An aerosoldelivery device configured for receiving a vaporizer according to claim41.
 56. The aerosol delivery device of claim 55, wherein the aerosoldelivery device comprises one or more of a battery, a microcontroller,and a sensor.
 57. The aerosol delivery device of claim 56, furthercomprising an input adapted for providing a control instruction to thecontroller.
 58. The aerosol delivery device of claim 55, wherein theaerosol delivery device comprises a chamber into which the vaporizer isinsertable.
 59. The aerosol delivery device of claim 58, wherein thechamber includes a connection port configured for electrical connectionof the vaporizer therewith.